What causes Crohn’s disease?
The cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown, but researchers believe it is the result of an abnormal reaction by the body’s immune system. Normally, the immune system protects people from infection by identifying and destroying bacteria, viruses, or other potentially harmful foreign substances. Researchers believe that in Crohn’s disease the immune system attacks bacteria, foods, and other substances that are actually harmless or beneficial. During this process, white blood cells accumulate in the lining of the intestines, producing chronic inflammation, which leads to ulcers, or sores, and injury to the intestines.
Researchers have found that high levels of a protein produced by the immune system, called tumor necrosis factor (TNF), are present in people with Crohn’s disease. However, researchers do not know whether increased levels of TNF and abnormal functioning of the immune system are causes or results of Crohn’s disease. Research shows that the inflammation seen in the G.I. tract of people with Crohn’s disease involves several factors: the genes the person has inherited, the person’s immune system, and the environment.
For more information and details on continuing Crohn's & Colitis research, visit www.ccfa.org.
What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease?
The most common symptoms of Crohn’s disease are abdominal pain, often in the lower right area, and diarrhea. Rectal bleeding, weight loss, and fever may also occur. Bleeding may be serious and persistent, leading to anemia—a condition in which red blood cells are fewer or smaller than normal, which means less oxygen is carried to the body’s cells. The range and severity of symptoms varies.
How is Crohn’s disease diagnosed?
Dr. Jones will perform a thorough physical exam and schedule a series of tests to diagnose Crohn’s disease.
What are the complications of Crohn’s disease?
The most common complication of Crohn’s disease is an intestinal blockage caused by thickening of the intestinal wall because of swelling and scar tissue. Crohn’s disease may also cause ulcers that tunnel through the affected area into surrounding tissues. The tunnels, called fistulas, are a common complication—especially in the areas around the anus and rectum—and often become infected. Most fistulas can be treated with medication, but some may require surgery. In addition to fistulas, small tears called fissures may develop in the lining of the mucus membrane of the anus. Dr. Jones may prescribe a topical cream and may suggest soaking the affected area in warm water.
Some Crohn’s disease complications occur because the diseased area of intestine does not absorb nutrients effectively, resulting in deficiencies of proteins, calories, and vitamins.
People with Crohn’s disease often have anemia, which can be caused by the disease itself or by iron deficiency. Anemia may make a person feel tired. Children with Crohn’s disease may fail to grow normally and may have low height for their age.
People with Crohn’s disease, particularly if they have been treated with steroid medications, may have weakness of their bones called osteoporosis or osteomalacia.
Some people with Crohn’s disease may have restless legs syndrome—extreme leg discomfort a person feels while sitting or lying down. Some of these problems clear up during treatment for Crohn’s disease, but some must be treated separately.
Other complications include arthritis, skin problems, inflammation in the eyes or mouth, kidney stones, gallstones, or diseases related to liver function.
What is the treatment for Crohn’s disease?
Treatment may include medications, surgery, nutrition supplementation, or a combination of these options. The goals of treatment are to control inflammation, correct nutritional deficiencies, and relieve symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Treatment for Crohn’s disease depends on its location, severity, and complications.
Treatment can help control Crohn’s disease and make recurrences less frequent, but no cure exists. Someone with Crohn’s disease may need long-lasting medical care and regular doctor visits to monitor the condition. Some people have long periods—sometimes years—of remission when they are free of symptoms, and predicting when a remission may occur or when symptoms will return is not possible. This changing pattern of the disease makes it difficult to be certain a treatment has helped.
Despite possible hospitalizations and the need to take medication for long periods of time, most people with Crohn’s disease have full lives—balancing families, careers, and activities.
Medications
Anti-inflammation medications: Most people are first treated with medications containing mesalamine, a substance that helps control inflammation. Sulfasalazine is the most commonly used of these medications. People who do not benefit from sulfasalazine or who cannot tolerate it may be put on other mesalamine-containing medications, known as 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) agents, such as Asacol, Dipentum, or Pentasa. Possible side effects of mesalamine-containing medications include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, and headache.
Cortisone or steroids: These medications, also called corticosteroids, are effective at reducing inflammation. Prednisone and budesonide are generic names of two corticosteroids. During the earliest stages of Crohn’s disease, when symptoms are at their worst, corticosteroids are usually prescribed in a large dose. The dosage is then gradually lowered once symptoms are controlled. Corticosteroids can cause serious side effects, including greater susceptibility to infection and osteoporosis, or weakening of the bones.
Immune system suppressors: Medications that suppress the immune system—called immunosuppressive medications—are also used to treat Crohn’s disease. The most commonly prescribed medications are 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine. Immunosuppressive medications work by blocking the immune reaction that contributes to inflammation. These medications may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and may lower a person’s resistance to infection. Some people are treated with a combination of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive medications. Some studies suggest that immunosuppressive medications may enhance the effectiveness of corticosteroids.
Biological therapies: Biological therapies are medications given by an injection in the vein, infliximab (Remicade), or an injection in the skin, adalimumab (HUMIRA). Biological therapies bind to TNF substances to block the body’s inflammation response. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved these medications for the treatment of moderate to severe Crohn’s disease that does not respond to standard therapies—mesalamine substances, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive medications—and for the treatment of open, draining fistulas. Some studies suggest that biological therapies may enhance the effectiveness of immunosuppressive medications.
Antibiotics: Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine caused by stricture, fistulas, or surgery. For this common problem, the doctor may prescribe one or more of the following antibiotics: ampicillin, sulfonamide, cephalosporin, tetracycline, or metronidazole.
Anti-diarrheal medications and fluid replacements: Diarrhea and abdominal cramps are often relieved when the inflammation subsides, but additional medication may be needed. Anti-diarrheal medications include diphenoxylate, loperamide, and codeine. People with diarrhea should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. If diarrhea does not improve, the person should see the doctor promptly for possible treatment with intravenous fluids.
Surgery
About two-thirds of people with Crohn’s disease will require surgery at some point in their lives. Surgery becomes necessary to relieve symptoms that do not respond to medical therapy or to correct complications such as intestinal blockage, perforation, bleeding, or abscess—a painful, swollen, pus-filled area caused by infection. Surgery to remove part of the intestine can help people with Crohn’s disease, but it does not eliminate the disease. People with Crohn’s disease commonly need more than one operation because inflammation tends to return to the area next to where the diseased intestine was removed.
Proctocolectomy: Some people who have Crohn’s disease must have a proctocolectomy, a procedure that is performed by a specialized surgeon. Proctocolectomy is surgery to remove the rectum and part of the colon or the entire colon.
Ileostomy: During proctocolectomy, the surgeon also performs an ileostomy—an operation that attaches the ileum to an opening made in the abdomen called a stoma. The stoma is about the size of a quarter and is usually located in the lower right part of the abdomen near the beltline. An ostomy pouch is then attached to the stoma and worn outside the body to collect stool. The pouch needs to be emptied several times a day. The majority of people with an ostomy pouch are able to live normal, active lives.
Intestinal resection surgery: Sometimes only the diseased section of intestine is removed and an ileostomy is not needed. Instead, the intestine is cut above and below the diseased area and the ends of the healthy sections are connected.
Because Crohn’s disease often recurs after surgery, people considering surgery should carefully weigh its benefits and risks compared with other treatments. People faced with this decision should get information from health care providers who routinely work with G.I. patients, including those who have had intestinal surgery. Patient advocacy organizations can suggest support groups and other information resources.
Nutrition Supplementation
Dr. Jonesr may recommend nutritional supplements, especially for children whose growth has been slowed. Special high-calorie liquid formulas are sometimes used. A small number of people may receive nutrition intravenously for a brief time through a small tube inserted into an arm vein. This procedure can help people who need extra nutrition temporarily, such as those whose intestines need to rest, or those whose intestines cannot absorb enough nutrition from food.
Dr. Jones may prescribe calcium, vitamin D, and other medications to prevent or treat osteoporosis for patients taking corticosteroids. People should take vitamin supplements only after talking with their doctor.
Eating, Diet, and Nutrition
No special diet has been proven effective for preventing or treating Crohn’s disease, but it is important that people who have Crohn’s disease follow a nutritious diet and avoid any foods that seem to worsen symptoms. People with Crohn’s disease often experience a decrease in appetite, which can affect their ability to receive the daily nutrition needed for good health and healing. In addition, Crohn’s disease is associated with diarrhea and poor absorption of necessary nutrients. Foods do not cause Crohn’s disease, but foods such as bulky grains, hot spices, alcohol, and milk products may increase diarrhea and cramping. Dr. Jones may refer a person with Crohn’s disease to a dietitian for guidance about meal planning.
Can smoking make Crohn’s disease worse?
Studies have shown that people with Crohn’s disease who smoke may have more severe symptoms and increased complications of the disease, along with a need for higher doses of steroids and other medications. People with Crohn’s disease who smoke are also more likely to need surgery. Quitting smoking can greatly improve the course of Crohn’s disease and help reduce the risk of complications and flare ups. Nacogdoches Gastroenterology can assist people in finding a smoking cessation specialist.
Can stress make Crohn’s disease worse?
No evidence shows that stress causes Crohn’s disease. However, people with Crohn’s disease sometimes feel increased stress in their lives because they live with a chronic illness. Some people with Crohn’s disease report having a flare up when experiencing a stressful event or situation. For people who find there is a connection between stress level and a worsening of symptoms, using relaxation techniques—such as slow breathing—and taking special care to eat well and get enough sleep may help them feel better. Dr. Jones may suggest meeting with a counselor or support group to help decrease stress for people with Crohn’s disease.
Is pregnancy safe for women with Crohn’s disease?
Women with Crohn’s disease can become pregnant and have a baby. Even so, women with Crohn’s disease should talk with their health care provider before getting pregnant. Most children born to women with Crohn’s disease are not affected by the condition.
